Mets Ignore Negatives and Hope They Go Away  —  The television stationed above John Maine was spouting gloom and doom.  No Pedro Martínez?  No ace?  No chance.  And so on.  Maine glanced up, rolled his eyes and dismissed the talk by spitting a stream of tobacco juice before focusing on a chess match in front of him.

Facing free agency, Nixon reflects on his stay  —  Like Bill Haselman , then the catcher behind the plate, now the Red Sox first base coach, Trot Nixon was wearing a Red Sox uniform Sept. 18, 1996.  You might have missed him, on the end of the bench during that night's game in Detroit, as Roger Clemens pitched.

Yanks' Johnson has herniated disc, playoffs in doubt  —  NEW YORK — Yankees lefty Randy Johnson has a herniated disc in his lower back, an injury that could prevent him from pitching in the playoffs next week.  —  The injury was discovered during an MRI exam Thursday.

Baker reflects on difficult season  —  Veteran skipper vows to manage somewhere in 2007  —  CHICAGO — Dusty Baker said he still doesn't know if he'll be managing the Chicago Cubs next season but he does expect to be managing somewhere in 2007.  —  Cubs general manager Jim Hendry has yet …

Suzuki tells Mariners he's willing to play center next year  —  SEATTLE (AP) — Ichiro Suzuki is willing to play center field for the Seattle Mariners next year.  —  "He said he wants to play there, so that's good," manager Mike Hargrove said before Friday's game against Texas.

'Mr. Angel' Has Earned His Wings  —  Tim Salmon looks back at his lengthy career, which will come to an end Sunday at home.  —  It is the first day of the last week of his distinguished career.  The weekend will come soon, and with it the pomp and circumstance of retirement, the ceremonies and farewells and standing ovations.

Phils roll, keep pace in Wild Card race  —  Burrell belts two homers, Victorino goes 5-for-6 in blowout  —  FLORIDA — The offense let the Phillies down on Thursday.  —  The bats picked the Phils up in a big way on Friday.  —  Shane Victorino's five hits led a 18-hit barrage …

Twins miss chance to take division lead  —  Ninth-inning rally falls short against White Sox  —  MINNEAPOLIS — The Twins' hopes for a division title may not yet be dead, but they certainly took a big blow on Friday night.  —  A 4-3 loss to the White Sox at the Metrodome before a sellout crowd …

South Atlantic League Top 20 Prospects List  —  Subscribers can read scouting reports on all 20 players (Click here to subscribe)  —  The low Class A South Atlantic League usually has its share of standout teenage prospects, but 2006 was unusual because four of its brightest young talents played …

'Adrenaline' prompts Giles' quick return  —  PHOENIX - Padres right fielder Brian Giles, emboldened by the power of adrenaline, returned to the lineup last night, one day after a sprained right ankle caused him to miss just his fourth start of the season.  —  "I know with the meaning …

Red Sox may sell season naming rights  —  For sale: The 2007 Boston Red Sox season.  —  Just be ready to ante up several million.  —  The Sox may have lost some of their luster on the field after the team's late-season crash landing.  —  But the franchise's front office is just hitting its stride.

Rangers chat wrap: Don't blame Daniels exclusively  —  Evan Grant, The News' Rangers beat writer, answered your questions on Friday, Sept. 29.  —  Evan Grant: Sorry to be a day late (and, as usual, a dollar short), but an aborted takeoff in Orange County yesterday had more to do with it than taking …

Notes: Barrett needs time to heal  —  Catcher will sit out remainder of season with groin injury  —  CHICAGO — Michael Barrett won't be back this season, but when he returns in 2007, he'll have better protection.  —  The Cubs catcher has been sidelined since a foul tip caused an intrascrotal hematoma on Sept. 2.